'You may ask me: "Frederick, how did you find so much information?" And I have an answer. My family was and still is fascinated by ghosts. They are very peculiar creatures, indeed. But, returning back to the question, I merely asked. Yes, just asked, that's how simple it was. I searched for ghosts inhabiting our lands and they told me about their world. Let's start from basics.

'Infinite Realms' as they call that 'dimension' is limitless, it keeps growing in size as the time goes. Speaking of, if we will count the years since the birth of Christ, then as we have 1230th year, they live in 2004th, and that's almost eight hundred years in the future! However, ghosts are very conservative, they still live by the traditions, characteristic for our epoch.

Infinite Realms are fully made from ectoplasm. This is green glowing sticky substance, when in its liquid condition, however. Ectoplasm is their blood. Make a cut and the green substance will leak out. It can change color and become solid, that's the ground of that world. Their sky is completely different from ours, instead of blue and gray from time to time, theirs is a swirling mass of green and black. 

The ground is a very abstract word to describe what they walk on. It's just chunks of earth floating in the nothingness. However, it's not a bother to them, they can fly. Speaking of their adoptive bodies. Their world lacked the air when it just appeared, the air started to leak through the 'natural portals'. So, ghosts don't need to breathe. Their bodies are filled with energy, some ARE the pure energy. That's why they don't sleep, nor they need it. 

Ghosts need food, and they eat food. But, their bodies have a 'safety measure', in case they will be starving. Every emotion we feel, is more than enough to keep them going for a long time. Each has own taste: sadness is salty, happiness has a sweet note in it, hatred is bitter, fear...is something else. Fear is something what makes us the same as animals. It's also the strongest emotion we can ever feel, so it has the strongest taste. It was described to me as the most delicious thing anyone could ever taste. Some even got addicted to that...'

Sam wondered what it tasted like, and if Danny ever tried it. The more she had read the book, the more interested she becomes. Other visitors of the pub glanced curiously at her. They would have been able to recognize her, but her face was hidden by the book and hood for the most part. Then the doors into the pub opened loudly. 

Sam briefly glanced at the newcomer and her heart froze. There was a bulky teen, with blond hair and blue eyes, dressed in white and red expensive clothes. Sam hid her face behind the book before he could notice her. The teen came to the bartender, which was dangerously close to her table.

"I need Faloy," he said, arrogance clear in his voice.

"O-of c-course, Mr. Baxter, but he is on another meeting right now. He is finishing soon, take a seat until that, the drinks are on the pub."

"He better finish soon, or I'm calling off our deal," Dash said with a glare. He sat on a nearest chair and took the glass of wine. He dried it in a blink of an eye. Wiping his mouth, Dash looked around, with nothing better to do. Sam sank down, but, instead of diverting attention, this action did completely opposite. 

Dash's eyes sqruintized in thought, until the look of recognition crossed his face and his eyes widened. He smirked widely and sat on the seat next to her. Sam gulped slightly.

"Well, well, if it isn't our witch Manson," he said surprisingly calm and quiet, with a smirk still shining on his face, "I heard you have already left the city. Why are still here?"

"That's none of your business, Dash," Sam spat, closing the book with the loud thud.

"I wouldn't take this tone on your place. All I need is to shout and you will be taken on white hands."

"Then why you don't?" She asked with  a raised eyebrow. Dash shrugged.

"Please, we both know that all this witchcraft accusion is bullshit. That's why I'm not bothered by this. But...I might have an offer."

"And that will be?" Dash leaned closer.

"My family is very influential. Just agree on the marriage and everyone will forget about the whole ordeal, even the cardinal himself."

"Get lost, Dash," Sam got up, but Dash grabbed her hand.

"You wouldn't. Do you want to be on the run for the rest of your life? I'm rich, I can grant you whatever you want! And you still prefer to be wanted criminal?!"

"Let me get it through this thick skull of yours. You are a spoiled moron, I hate you and I will better marry the hog than you!" Dash glared at her.

"Listen up, bitch, you are playing with fire and I recall you don't have a very good experience with it," he smirked proudly at his remark, "Try to guess what I'm going to do."

"Ehm, get your ass handed to you in a most humilating way possible?"

They both turned around. Danny was standing behind them with a deadly calm expression on his face. However a huge smirk was shining brightly. While Sam sighed in relief, Dash glared at the teen in front of him.

"And who is going to do that?" He said with crossed hands. He was almost head taller than Phantom and his musculature was much more noticeable, "You, pipsqueak?" he laughed. All visitors watched the exchange with shock and curiosity. 

"I don't see any pipsqueaks around, so I guess I'll try," Phantom laughed. 

Seconds later they stood on the open place, once the tables and chairs were moved aside. Dash cracked his knuckles with a smirk, completely unaware who he is going to fight against.

"I'll smash you into pancake," he said, but Danny only shrugged. 

"Twenty coppers on the black haired!" Someone in the crowd yelled.

"One silver on Baxter!" 

And the crowd erupted in loud betting. Barmen immediately took the position of the counter and turned to be a very fast and talented organiser.  And referee. He stood between two aristocrats with a raised hand.

"If you don't know the rules, I'm reminding you that you can't hit lower the belt. That's all. Now fight!"

The second the bartender swiped his hand, Dash started his attack. He lunged at Phantom who calmly ducked under the hit and stood where he was.

"You done?" he asked in bored tone, dusting his clothes with the back of his hand nonchalantly.

Dash threw his fist at Danny with a roar, but he sidestepped and tripped the blond easily. Baxter fell on the muddy ground. 

"Too much strength in one hit," Phantom commented as his opponent got up. 

"When," duck, "will," another strike and another miss, "you," another duck, "stop," sidestepped, "RUNNING!" Dash roared.

"About now," Phantom grinned before hitting the blonde in the gut. Hard. Dash yelped in pain and hugged his stomach to ease it. Only to get a fist into face. Dash stumbled back with a blood leaking out of his nose. What he didn't know is that Danny made him approach the 'pond', and that it was now right behind the blonde. 

One little stumble, and he fell in the muddy water with a loud splash. People gaped at the scene. Someone cheered, because they earned money, someone glared, because they lost money. But no one hid his surprise. Danny turned to Sam.

"Thank you, Danny," she said quietly, hugging him. He smiled, "But don't you think it was too brutal?"

"You are welcome," Phantom answered, hugging her too and giving a small green blush, "And that's how I usually fight."

"You!" they heard Dash's voice. Danny sighed and turned to face him, who climbed out of the water, covered in muddy substance. If his glare could burn a hole, then it undoubtfully would, "Who. The Hell. Are. You?" he growled.

"And why sudden interest?" Danny asked cockily.

"I want to know who I'm about to kill."

"No offence pal, but I doubt you can," Phantom smirked.

"You have just signed a death sentence. We will find you and you aren't going to survive. No one messes with Baxters."

"Besides me. I just did. And it seems that you are going to go home and cry to your parents after we finish," Danny took Sam's hand and started to walk away, "I'm Daniel. That's all you are going to get from me. C'mon Sam."

"You are assisting a criminal, you know that?" 

"Believe me, compaired to my service list that is nothing." 

Together Danny and Sam walked out of the pub and were returning to the surface. 

"Anyways, who was that jerk?" he asked.

"That was Dash. He is the one my parents wanted me to marry," Sam said gloomily.

"Yeah, I see now why you dislike him."

"Dislike is an understatement," Sam grumbled.

"Hey, chin up. We are getting closer. Can you imagine, the cardinal have brought Jackson's amulet straight to us!" Danny said excitedly.

"And how did he get it?" He stopped dead on his tracks.

"Why I never thought about this?" He asked himself, "We will find out sooner or later. But now we must get this gem before the guild."

"Why?"

"We made an 'agreement'. If we get it first, then they stop searching for it. They have own rules. Thief can't steal from thief. Jackson doesn't count, he is a robber."

The crowd outside was becoming bigger and bigger, louder and louder. Curious of the reasons of such excitement, Danny stopped the nearest old woman and asked her about it.

"Oh, we are just happy to see the cardinal. Usually when some high person comes this dirty bribers get arrested. Last time it was governor. The cardinal is preparing his praying in our main cathedral."

Phantom hummed in thought, rubbing his chin as the plan was forming in his mind. Then a lighting bulb appeared above his head as he smirked. Yeah, that might work. But plans never go as planned. Near the entrance they were stopped by the guard.

"Halt. You aren't allowed inside."

"What? Why?" Danny asked.

"Because overwise it will be overcrowded enough. I'm here not to let more people inside."

Phantom facepalmed, a gesture unknown to the people around. However, they found it very symbolical. 

"And what are you going to do now?" Sam asked once they were on a distance.

"I'm thinking about it," Phantom stomped with his leg, the gears in his head spinning rapidly. He can't just go there and snatch their prize, he just got rid of the Inquisitors. 

"Hey, Danny," Sam suddenly got an idea, "Do you remember that preacher?"

"Maurice?"

"Yes, him. Do you think he will be able to get us inside?" Danny beamed at her widely.

"You are a genius, Sam."

They started searching for the preacher.  It was more difficult than they thought. Danny adviced Maurice to preach in the crowd. The main problem? The whole city seemed to be awaken from some kind of sleep, and no matter where you look, there was a crowd. After god knows how long, they found him. Phantom couldn't help but smirk, looks like his advice was very helpful. Maurice had a good amount of people around himself, who eagerly listened. 

"...and heed my words, people, only if we follow the Godly laws we will find a salvation!" Maurice was doing his job, putting all his emotions in it, until his eyes somehow fell on two teens. He smiled brightly, "Come over here, my friend!" Maurice gestured for Danny to get on the stairs in front of the building. Phantom raised his eyebrow, but did as was told nevertheless. Maurice wrapped his left hand around his shoulders.

"And here is the young man who adviced me to come to this place...what's your name?" he whispered to Phantom.

"Danny," he answered nervously, "Danny Phantom," he said louder.

"Danny Phantom!" Maurice shouted to the crowd, "What a weird last name," he then muttered.

"Look, Maurice, can we talk in private?" Phantom asked.

"Why, yes, my friend! Excuse me, dear crowd, but I have an important thing to do!"

Maurice stepped down with Danny, before walking with the ghost teen into the alleyway.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Maurice asked, sitting on the barrel nearby.

"You do serve in local cathedral, right?" he nodded in agreement, before cocky smile appeared on his face.

"You want to get inside to listen to the cardinal's speech. I understand."

"Wha...yeah that's what I need."

Maurice hopped down from the barrel, "Very well, I'll get you there. But on one condition."

"What is it?" Danny asked, rubbing his temples. 

"The cardinal's services start in the evening, so I insist that you stay for dinner before we go."

"Thank you for your offer, but I'm not alone, and we don't want to be a bother..."

"Nonsense, my boy. You aren't a bother at all. Call your friend and follow me." 

Danny returned back to Sam, who was waiting for him on the same place. He told her about the agreement, and she was very cautious about it. She was afraid to be recognized. Phantom assured her that Maurice wouldn't be able to. He didn't explain how, though, but Sam finally agreed. Maurice was waiting for them on the intersection of the streets. Once two teens approached the preacher, he smiled at them.

"Oh, we have a lady with us, nice to meet you, Miss..."

"Samantha," she said quickly. She hated to be called by her full name, but it was less suspicious. Maurice raised his eyebrow, before nodding.

"Alright then, follow me, friends," he said enthusiastically and turned around, before almost running in that direction. 

"He sure is eager to help," Sam commented.

"Yep."

Two teens followed the preacher through the dirty streets, from time to time turning into the alleyways they wouldn't have noticed in normal circumstances. They stopped near a two story building. It actually looked very presentable, more than the others at least. It was built from dark wood, which seemed very new. 

"Alright, here we are, welcome to our humble abode," Maurice said, opening the door and walking inside. 

On the inside was very homey. On the left side was the room, supposedly kitchen, if the oven and spices hanging on the ropes said anything. On the right was a living room, even if such a word did not exist back then. A big fireplace near the wall, and...sofas? Yes, common thing for the living room, but not in 1232nd year.

"Angela! I'm at home! And I brought some guests!" Maurice said loudly. A woman walked out of the kitchen. She was wearing a yellow dress, had dark skin and light purple eyes, unlike Sam's bright ones. 

"Maurice, who are those?" Angela asked. 

"Well, young Daniel here helped me out, I've got a lot of listeners," Maurice patted Danny's shoulders, "I wanted to reward him somehow, so I decided to invite him for dinner!" 

"Maurice, there are still three hours until then."

"So we can discuss about many questions," Maurice explained, causing Danny's head to turn to him sharply.

"What kind of questions?" He asked surprised. The preacher shrugged.

"Different questions. You can't imagine how rare I see an educated person here," they hadn't noticed how they situated on the seats. Danny and Sam kept eyeing the sofa curiously, but by different reasons. Angela went back in the kitchen. Maurice noticed the kids' curiousity.

"Oh, you have noticed our furniture."

"Yeah," Danny said, "Where did it come from?" Maurice smiled proudly.

"My son made it. Golden hands he has. He is about your age, actually. But what about you? You are quite young to travel by yourself . Do you two have any family? If you don't mind me asking, of course."

"I don't want to talk about it," Sam muttered, causing Danny to sigh. She needs to open sooner or later, and even if he knew that that's because of her parents she was tied to the stake, he suspected there was more. Phantom then got an idea.

"I don't remember my mother," he started, and Sam's eyes widened in surprise,  "My father once said that she died right after I was born, but..." Danny sighed, "I never believed that. Mother was told to be very strong, despite being," he cut himself before he could say 'human', "despite having a weak appearance. Plus, every time I asked servants, maids, father's acquaintances, they avoided the topic as much as they could. But I still don't know much."

"That's very sad, Daniel," Maurice said,  "but haven't you ever tried to find out?"

"Father is currently locked very tight and I'm not in the mood to talk with him. The only other knowing person just said: 'Everything in due time'. I really hate when he says that."

"I'm sorry, Danny," Sam said softly, putting her hand on his.

"Thanks," Phantom smiled weakly at Sam. He expected her to open up too, but she still kept quiet. They sat in this silence for some time, until Maurice decided to break it.

"Anyways, is there something going on between you two?"  Two teens blushed brightly.

"No, there isn't."

"Why everyone assumes that?" Maurice smiled. 

"Because I saw the look you are giving each other. And that isn't just friendly one," he winked at the teens, who looked away from each other with bright faces. Before Maurice could continue, an oddly familiar for Danny voice was heard.

"Mom, Dad, I'm at home!"

"Come in, son, greet our guests!" Maurice said.

A few seconds later a boy came into the room. Danny's eyes widened in shock at the familiar face. And the boy seemed to recognise him as his face had the same look of recognition on it. 

"You!" He pointed his finger at Danny, shocked.

"You know each other?" Sam and Maurice asked at the same time, equally surprised. 

"I...well," Tucker tried to find the excuse, before Danny answered instead of him.

"I met him while talking with my...friend."

"Yeah," Tucker supported the claim, even though he was wary of the teen in front of him. He didn't know why, but this guy was giving him goosebumbs. 

"Maurice! Come here, please!" Angela shouted from the kitchen. 

"Coming!" Maurice jumped off the sofa and ran there. Tucker turned to Danny sharply.

"Alright, spill it, why are you here?" Phantom gasped dramatically.

"Why everyone tries to find some hidden motive?" He moaned, putting a hand on his forehead.

"Because I know that you are planning something," Tucker pointed an accusing finger at Danny.

"Think whatever you want, pal, but there is still plenty time before the cardinal appears. Until then...let's try to be more friendly to each other, hm?" 

"Wait, you want to steal the amulet during the ceremony?" Tucker asked dumbfounded. Danny raised an eyebrow and looked at him weirdly.

"Surely you didn't expect me to wait before you do it in the dead of night?"

"Yes...I mean, no...yes," Tucker dropped his head.

"Maybe you tell me what are talking about?" Sam asked with crossed hands. 

"In short, this guy is from the guild," Phantom said offhandedly, "And why do I doubt that his parents know about his occupation?" he asked, turning to Tucker with a fake curiosity. 

"They don't and I will keep it that way," He answered confidently.

"May we discuss this in private?" 

"There is nothing do discuss about."

"That's where you are wrong. There are A LOT of things. I can just call your parents, tell them, and hereby get rid of another obstackle on my way," Phantom said with a devious smirk on his face. 

"You are the Devil in the flesh," Tucker muttered, not realising how close he was to the truth, "Fine," he sighed, "follow me."

Three teens got up from their seats and went upstairs. After going through the corridor, they stopped near a door and went into the room. It was spacey, with a bed and table with a chair on the opposite sides of it. On the table was a huge pile of pergament, which Tucker hurried to hide from sight. But half of them fell slowly planned on the floor. One of them - right under Danny's leg. He kneeled down and picked it up. Sam peaked on the list curiosly.

It was mostly just a mess of writings and numbers, written with a piece of coal. Danny didn't try to translate what Tucker had written. His attention was drawn to the strange picture. After carefull studying he understood what this was for. Before Danny could voice out his thoughts, the list was snatched out of his hands by Tucker, leaving him staring at the place where it had once been. 

"Well, I'll be damned!" Phantom roared with laughter, earning a confused look from Sam and glare from Tucker, "Very impressive, Tucker, I surely wasn't expecting THAT."

"You are laughing at me but one day I will laugh," Tucker said proudly. 

"Maybe you will, but two things make me doubt that. One," he raised a finger, "if the Inquisition finds out then you know what awaits you. Two," he raised the second one, "it wouldn't fly with current construction," Tucker looked at Danny surprised. 

"Wha..."

"There are a few absent things. Without them, it wouldn't be a flight, it would be a gracious fall down. Here, let me show you..."